Protesters voice their concerns outside the DNC headquarters on Capitol Hill in April.

DENVER, Colorado (CNN) – In another bid to restore party unity, the Democratic National Committee voted unanimously Sunday to restore full convention voting rights to Florida and Michigan delegates.

The move, which had been sought by former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton since shortly after the primary season began, was endorsed by presumptive nominee Barack Obama last month.

Florida and Michigan Democrats had been penalized by the DNC Rules Committee for holding their primaries in January, in violation of party rules. Under the initial penalty, Florida and Michigan were stripped of their delegates, and barred from attending the convention.

Clinton and Obama agreed not to campaign in either state and Obama’s name did not appear on the Michigan ballot. Clinton won both primaries in January, and - locked in a tight battle to win the nomination - urged for full delegations from both states to be seated. Her effort failed, and she conceded to Obama shortly after the primary season ended.

In June, the Rules and Bylaws Committee had voted to allow both states’ delegations to be seated at the convention, with each delegate awarded half a vote divided between the candidates based on a formula devised by party officials.

The number of delegates required to claim the Democratic nomination will rise as a result of Sunday’s decision.

soundoff(431 Responses)

Or should I say BA for Barack America and will that be changing the Senator's name of the countries name.

August 24, 2008 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

tennisguypitt

Finally,those PUMA idiots should shut up now! They got what they want, now grow up and vote for Obama! They need to stop whining. I have seen 4th graders act better!

Obama/Biden '08

August 24, 2008 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

OH MY!!!

To-Griff-Pelosi and other Democrats… This year 2008, Will Be always known as…. Hate! Hate! Hate! For the Dem's;
You'r Party as Folded, You just don't know it yet… Sucker's!
**What's with the name calling BRO ......you need to attend anger management (Hate! Hate! Hate! For the Dem's)It's All Politics don't stress out They will all be Friends laughing hugging and United in the End.......You My Friend will end up in the NUT HOUSE!!!!

August 24, 2008 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

Susan from Scotts Valley, CA

FYI everyone. Hillary didn't care about Michigan and Florida till she needed their votes. Don't lay this all on Obama. Hillary was playing politics just as much.

For all of you who are mad so are going to make sure McCain gets elected one way or another, it's not just Obama and the Democrats that you're punishing, it's the whole country. Don't be so selfish. My family and my business can't afford four more years of this.

August 24, 2008 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Eric

McCain got my vote yesterday. With this the republicans may be getting a full bore convert. I've had enough and am ready to register as a republican.

August 24, 2008 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Bryce

What people do not understand is that the delegate totals are not close. He is 305 delegates ahead, and without superdelegates he is 120 ahead. She got half the delegates from florida, so add 50 and add 35 for michigan. Now he is up 220 delegates. Only if super delegates were not included would it even be close.

August 24, 2008 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Daniel

I am a Democrat that hates the DNC. This is too little too late.

Can you imagine how they will run the country!

McCain 2008
Hillary 2012

August 24, 2008 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |

E.C.Coleman

Guess the Dems are aftraid they're going to lose. It was a stupid idea in the first place; it made no sense. That 'idea person' who wanted to censor the two states and sought to do so....... should be BARRED from the National Democratic Committee for LIFE! That idea was the MOST RIDICULOUS and STUPID IDEA EVER........

August 24, 2008 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |

Emma, San Jose, CA

Even if Hillary's votes would have been totally counted in Florida and Michigan, she would still be behind in delegates. Get your facts straight, please.

August 24, 2008 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |

Duop Wuol, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Good move.

August 24, 2008 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |

Enough of the insanity

There is nothing Obama can do to please these bitter, devisive PUMA ( Reagan Dems ), so why bother. The best way we can help get Obama/Biden elected is to get out there and our support to good use. These bitter folks would rather spend all their time in here blogging about what is wrong with Dems and Obama. They are probably one paycheck away from being homeless and will still vote against their best interests. Poor souls, God bless them anyway.

Obama/Biden 08

August 24, 2008 04:28 pm at 4:28 pm |

Susan

They should have been allowed to vote in the primaries. But the Democratic party said no.......which was not right.

August 24, 2008 04:28 pm at 4:28 pm |

Ecor

With all due apology to Yogi Berra, "It ain't over until the fat-head DNC clowns sing their "Swan Song'".

August 24, 2008 04:29 pm at 4:29 pm |

Marie in California

Sounds like it's just a tad late for that! Obama is willing to give them full voting rights now that Hillary is no longer a threat to his coronation.

As for as I'm concerned, they can all kiss off!

Former lifelong Democrat.....now brand-new Republican for McCain!

NOBAMA!

August 24, 2008 04:29 pm at 4:29 pm |

Last Refuge of the Scoundrel

What in God's name is the use of having rules if they're not going to be enforced!!!!??? God I HATE these Clinton supporters!! Please please please vote Mccain you Republican lowlifes and NEVER call yourself a Democrat again. SWINE!!!!

August 24, 2008 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |

marianna

Waaay too early. An ideal date would be Nov.5 ;-)

August 24, 2008 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |

Marge

miket August 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

How hypocritical!!!! When these votes would have mattered in the election process the Obama camp fought tooth and nail to keep them out. They hammered Michigan and Florida on not following the rules. I guess the rules aren't so important now that he needs their votes in the general election. This proves Obama is a veteran and typical Chicago politician. He will do anything and everything to win.
______________________________________________________
Hillary ONLY fought for these votes after she lost 11 contest in a row!!!
when the DNC (not obama) stripped these states of their votes...guess what???? Hillary agreed with the DNC!!!
NOW who's the hypocrite???/ We know who the uninformed is.....that's YOU!!!!

August 24, 2008 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |

Joe

Hey Jamil! You're a real winner! February was shortly after the primaries began! Way to show your edumacation!

August 24, 2008 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |

Jean

Why are all you Obama haters so nasty? Is it because you are sore losers and you can't find something good to say about your own candidate? Go home and quit whining.

August 24, 2008 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |

wiser

Senator Obama's first decision was his vice president. Senator Obama blew his chance to unify the democrats.

If he can’t unify his own party, how can he hope to unify the nation?

Senator Obama is not experienced enough nor does he have the requisite judgment to lead this nation.

Democrats for McCain!

August 24, 2008 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |

Mad

This is so stupid- they are only this so they can get more votes from those states.
The reason the Clinton supporters are revolting is because their voices weren't heard in the primaries so they will be heard now!

August 24, 2008 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |

Axl

Very simple.

There was a contest with a clear set of rules that Obama played by and won. He is bending over backwards to accommodate people who are considering voting against their own self-interest to satisfy a grudge.

If Hillary doesn't toe the line and costs Obama the election through her maneuvering, she won't even be a viable candidate in 2012. She just wont because she'll be unacceptable to the 18 million people who put Obama over the top. Someone had to lose this contest and she lost fairly, by rules she agreed to. Get over it or vote for McCain.

August 24, 2008 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |

Mad

Hillary- you stood for the old good Democratic party-
Obama speaks for the power hungry fools (Pelosi, Dean, etc.)

Yeah, after it is too late to help Hillary. I am going to show the DNC how I feel about their games. Come on McCain! Sometimes you have to suffer in order to teach schemers a lesson. There's got to be fair play.